Francis Ngannou's Transition to Boxing
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has set his sights beyond the confines of the octagon, venturing into the world of professional boxing. At 37 years old, Ngannou is not content with resting on his laurels; instead, he is actively seeking new challenges and opportunities to prove his mettle against some of the most formidable opponents in the boxing arena.
Upcoming Bout Against Anthony Joshua
The Cameroonian powerhouse is poised to make a significant splash in the boxing scene with an upcoming match against none other than Anthony Joshua. Joshua, a household name in heavyweight boxing, has recently bounced back with three victories following a pair of losses to Oleksandr Usyk. This fight is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Ngannou's boxing career, offering him the chance to establish himself among the elite in a second combat sport.
Impressive Performance Against Tyson Fury
Ngannou has already demonstrated his potential in the squared circle, narrowly missing out on a victory against Tyson Fury in what was a non-title boxing match. This near-win has only fueled his ambition, as he sets his eyes on another prominent figure in the heavyweight division—Deontay Wilder.
Desire to Face Deontay Wilder
Wilder, despite a recent loss to Joseph Parker, remains a force to be reckoned with, boasting an impressive record of 42 knockout wins. Ngannou has made it clear that he wants to add Wilder to his list of conquered adversaries, stating emphatically, "Wilder better get it together because I'm not done. I want that name on my record."
Reflections on MMA Achievements
Reflecting on his storied mixed martial arts career, Ngannou expressed a sense of fulfillment, having reached the pinnacle by becoming the UFC heavyweight champion in 2021 and successfully defending his title against Ciryl Gane. However, for Ngannou, the allure of MMA has waned, "In my MMA career, I got to the point that is everyone's dream. I was MMA champion. There are some great fights to do in MMA, but there's not a new challenge, something exciting in MMA," he said.
Signing with the Professional Fighters League (PFL)
In pursuit of novel challenges, Ngannou signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), yet he has not debuted in their ring. His signing sparked discussions about a potential fight with Wilder under the PFL banner, highlighting the fluidity of combat sports matchmaking where "everything is possible."
Ngannou's Future Ambitions
Ngannou's transition from MMA to boxing is a testament to his relentless pursuit of competition at the highest level. "I'm here for the boxing career, and there I have a lot of challenges, a lot of names. For example, the top three guys that I've always had are Fury, Joshua, and Wilder," he stated, underscoring his determination to carve out a legacy in the boxing world as he did in MMA.
As Francis Ngannou embarks on this new chapter, the combat sports community watches with bated breath. Will the former UFC champion replicate his success within the ropes? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Ngannou's presence in boxing brings an exciting blend of power, athleticism, and star power to a sport that thrives on epic showdowns and captivating personalities.
With his unwavering focus and proven track record, Ngannou may very well shake up the heavyweight boxing hierarchy, starting with his anticipated bout against Anthony Joshua. As he steps into the ring, it's not just his fists that will do the talking, but also his indomitable spirit, seeking to prove that even at 37, he can still be a dominant force across multiple disciplines in the world of combat sports.